Sotomayor Fractures Her Ankle in New York

The Supreme Court nominee is on crutches after a fall

By Caitlin Millat •Published June 8, 2009•Updated on June 8, 2009 at 3:19 pm

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is on crutches after she fractured her ankle while running to catch a plane at New York's La Guardia Airport Monday morning, the White House said.

The New York federal judge stumbled at the airport then boarded a plane to Washington, D.C., where she was taken in a wheelchair to George Washington University Medical Center, the Washington Post reported.

Sotomayor was rushing through the La Guardia hallways to catch her flight when she injured her right ankle, White House assistant press secretary Ben LaBolt said.

"After an X-ray at Medical Faculty Associates, it was determined that Judge Sotomayor has a small fracture in her right ankle," he said.

Sotomayor was "treated and released" and would be able to continue her meet-and-greets in the nation's capital, LaBolt said.

"[She] is looking forward to keeping her full schedule of meetings on Capitol Hill this afternoon," he said.

The nominee -- who would be the first Latina and third woman to sit on the court -- is set to meet with Sens. Max Baucus, Charles Grassley, Jeanne Shaheen, David Vitter and Mary Landrieu on the Hill today.

She has been endorsed by GOP and Democratic leaders alike and was most recently lauded by former First Lady Laura Bush, who said Monday that Sotomayor is a "winner" and a "good nominee."

"As a woman, I'm proud that there might be another woman on the court. I wish her well," Mrs. Bush said on ABC's "Good Morning America."